CHAIRMAN of Preston North End Derek Shaw has said what some people may have been thinking for a long time -- that Preston needs to start behaving like a city if it wants to be one.

His outburst came after city councillors denied PNE planning permission to build an all-weather pitch. The club applied to build the pitch to fulfill one of the requirements of the Football Association for any club seeking Academy Status.

Mr Shaw said: "If we are going to make it as a city, the council needs a wake up call, we need to start acting like a city."

The councillors' decision at a planning committee, on Monday, flies in the face of advice from officers who recommended approval.

"Words can't explain how disappointed I am," he said. "This is a sad day."

And he said Preston would continue to be ranked among the likes of Burnley and Rochdale, unless the club achieved Academy Status.

The application was turned down on the grounds of its appearance, the impact on residents' amenities, and noise and disturbance.

Mr Shaw said the club will appeal the decision despite the cost. He said: "Let me say that we are not a money making racket, this application has been a costly exercise. It has cost us £11,000 for the application so far, and it looks like we are going to have to spend more for the appeal and advisors."

And he added: "If we had been given permission, the facility could have been ready for the start of next season, but now even if we get permission after an appeal it won't be ready for next season."

Chairman of the planning committee, Councillor Ron Atkins, said: "The committee likes to do everything it can for North End and its aim of getting promoted, but the committee felt they needed to protect the neighbourhood."